My life's political activism started in high school about two years ago when my former teacher, Jim Henley, decided to run against an entrenched extremist Republican in the United States Congress. I am still registered to vote in the district, too. Unseating Mr. John Culberson is of extreme importance to me.
Months ago, I learned that Michael Skelly, a renewable energy executive, was the man to try Jim Henley's 2006 task this year. When I learned that he would consider putting lots of his own money into the race if need be, I became excited. This would be a great way to unseat the man who fails to represent me. Later I learned that Bill Kelly, who worked to unseat Republicans with Reps. Hubert Vo and Ellen Cohen, would be working this race. I became even more excited.
And now I am willing to bet on close competition. With the release of a new poll (pdf) that shows a potentially close race and new fundraising reports that show Skelly leading in money, it seems to be anyone's game.
Texas has 32 Congressional Districts. And, this cycle, a good number of them feature quality Democratic challengers to entrenched Republican opponents. However, if you rely on the coverage of the Main Stream Media to determine which races are competitive, only CD's 17, 22 and 23 would probably cross your mind.
And that's not the case.
Down in Congressional District 7, Jim Henley, a longtime public school teacher, has forced John Culberson into quite a competitive race.
Not only are Henley's internal polling numbers [covered here on BOR previously] showing that this district is ready for change, but the Cook Political Report has previously listed Culberson as a potentially vunerable Republican incumbent right along with Henry Bonillia.
The Henley campaign does its own volunteer driven poll in TX-07 as reported in this BOR journal.
That 31 percent advantage Culberson used to have is almost 2/3 cut away. That 31 percent is down to 12.
Culberson: 51 percent said they would or probably would vote for him. Henley: 39 percent said they would or probably would vote for him.
10 percent undecided.
Of course, it's an internal poll that may or may not be as scientific, but I would say that the trend of the loss of support shown by polls on Republican incumbants from Lamar Smith to Ron Paul is good to see.
The Democrats up at the North Texas Liberal blog aren't too happy after getting their application for the Texas Democratic Party credit card denied of all things.
I do owe thanks to the party for the good laugh this morning when I was denied the Democratic Party credit card. I'm debt-free, with the exception of a mortgage, have a high FICO score, and I save over half of my better-than-modest annual income. My credit history is unblemished. I'm not playing by the big money rules, though.
I don't have revolving balances and was therefore denied the opportunity to contribute to the party that supposedly opposes the assault on the middle class. I thought I'd make an exception to my disdain for the credit card industry (I do have a card which I pay off every month) and help out, but your issuing bank wouldn't let me. Hilarious.
I don't need the card and I've lost nothing without it; I just thought it would be a good way to help. You won't take money from an affluent, responsible consumer, but I'm sure you have plenty of contributors with the card who are carrying balances at usurious rates while struggling to pay for their children's healthcare, education, etc.
I don't use a credit card enough to where the few $$ the party would make off of it could exactly compete with the TDP's more well-heeled donors. But I guess NTL does have a point in regards to the party of the middle class using credit card usage as a source of revenue.
I'll be updating the True Blue Travis page related to this, but check out the new and upcoming tools as part of True Blue Action, the PAC created by Chris Bell's Field Director Glen Maxey. The best part about all of that is that it's being integrated to help candidates up and down the ticket in addition to Bell and most importantly, will live on beyond November 7, 2006.
In November 2004, extremist John Culberson won his re-election without a sweat. 64 percent to 33 percent (head-to-head with Democrat John Martinez) is a pretty damn safe margin.
But between July 15th and July 24th the Henley for Congress Campaign saw volunteers spend over 500 man hours using their training from a local polling expert to see if the CD07 cituation was any different than almost two years ago...
On June 22 at the Henley Campaign Headquarters, a local political science professor talked to a room without a spare seat about polling. Polling was expensive, but with an army of volunteers similar to the one that had showed up, Dr. Murray believed it could be done. He told us what to do, and in July the group would start on its quest.
The goal was to poll 500. It would save thousands of dollars, and it would give the campaign an idea of where they stood. The quest was started this month, and on Monday night, at a small law firm filled with former students, parents, and your standard campaign volunteers; 500 was not only reached, but surpassed.
Now knowing where they stand, Team Henley is ready to go forward running. Tomorrow is the highlight fundraiser for the campaign, and they need your help to fuel them.
Jim Henley Fundraiser and Film Screening
featuring
The Hunting of the President with special guest Susan McDougal
Thursday, July 27, 2006
7:00 PM at River Oaks Theater
Ticket Prices: Reserved $100
Preferred $50 / General $25 / Students $10
Reserved tickets receive special seating and entry into a private reception with Susan McDougal at La Griglia following the film.
The Hunting of the President This gripping documentary chronicles the 10-year partisan campaign to destroy the political legacy of the Clintons. Susan McDougal emerges as the film's heroine after refusing to cooperate with Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr and testify against the Clintons. As a result, she spent 22 months in prison.
For those who don't know, Susan McDougal is Henley's sister and a big supporter of the campaign. Everyone should come and see it if they are in Houston!
For those who want to help in another way, on Monday between 10 AM and 6 PM (three hour shifts, with lunch and dinner provide) there will be a large effort for a mail-out to high-potential Henley supporters. Call 713-527-0234 if you are interested!
I have nothing against fiscal conservatives. Bill Clinton was a fiscal conservative, and he was one of my favorite Democrats of all time. Fiscal conservatism has looked so good side-by-side with President Bush's economic policy that it has turned me into a fiscal conservative. Fiscal conservatism is good.
But when you mix such conservatism with extremist ideology, things can get really messy. That is exactly what Representative Culberson has done this past week in Congress. But if that was the worst of it; then I wouldn't be writing about it. It wouldn't be anything new, because this joke of a public servant does that all the time.
This time Culberson went somewhere most lawmakers wouldn’t dare to go. Culberson listed 10 cities in which he threatened to take money away from, and his own city was one of them. Yes; John Culberson hates Mexicans so much that he is willing to take millions away from our police forces if "need" be.
He claims that if Houston truly does fight immigration, then the city would have nothing to worry about. I beg to differ. Firstly, it is very possible to lose a trial even if you are right. Secondly, it takes thousands of dollars to defend the city in such a lawsuit, so this bill would likely take away money from Houston NO MATTER WHAT!
Finally, though; the threat alone is disgusting. I understand the wish to fight illegal immigration. But currently the crime in Houston is rising, and I think there are a lot more problems for our policemen to deal with than people who cross the Rio Grande in an attempt to better their lives. At this point, I have to think that my safety isn't my Congressman's priority, and if nothing else, that deserves my work to get him beat in November.
New Democrats of Texas podcast is online for your listening pleasure. T.G. and David wrap-up the Primary Runoff, discuss Perry's upcoming Special Session, and look forward to upcoming Democratic events.
Central Texas students, remember to join StudentswithCourage.com in support of Congressional candidate John Courage.
Jim Henley, teacher, is running for Congress out in TX-7 in Harris County. More importantly, his campaign has just launched the Henley Blog. It's great to see campaigns blogging, lead by others like Chris Bell (Gov) and Larry Stallings (HD-122).
Go visit Greg and give him some thanks for all his work with Borris Miles, knocking Rep. Al Edwards out of the lege. Finally. Part of me will miss his bills to ban sexy cheerleading. Hah, just kidding.
Want to see some ads in the battle to be a small town mayor? Fredericksburg has a heated race for Mayor (first time in about 20 years) and it pits an incumbent running for re-election to one last term (term limits), Tim Crenwelge, and newcomer to the political scene Jeryl Hoover. As the city population grows with new voters, the ability for the traditional German voting class to determine local elections is diminishing, though at which point that becomes less than 50% of the vote is still unknown. Low turnout (less than 15% on average) plays a key role.
For about an hour, I was at the Jim Henley party in Houston, TX. I had to leave just as Mr. Henley was leaving, but many of Jim Henley's current and former students, including myself, spoke to start things off.
Everyone is very excited right now, especially from the early voting results. All are enjoying fajitas and getting prepared to celebrate. All the students who spoke got appluase, and Mr. Henley's entrance was much anticipated.
